I planned this for weeks but Doctor appointments kept me from buying a ticket to depart until the last appointment made the follow up for when I return to Oaxaca in April. I bought the ticket and left 3 days prior to my planned departure. Couldn't be soon enough.
My lovely neighbor and good friend Jeannie drove me to the airport in time for me to check two bags and get my boarding passes. I had done all the requested pre boarding on the internet but when I reached the mile long line and checked to see if they has my TSA Pre Boarding on the pass...NO. Now I returned to the check-in line and waited again until I got the same attendant who re-issued new boarding passes for me. I returned, to the lines but this time entered the TSA line and was through security and on my way to the gate in no time. I might add that I also have Global Entry which includes TSA Pre Boarding but, though I registered it I wasn't issued Pre Boarding so thought after 2 years of lock down with Covid pandemic that it was expired after I received a notice to pay $85 to get TSA privileges that I already had. I actually made the appointment, went in for the interview and got it without them ever telling me I already was registered and had it for the last few years. Watch out for yourself and question everything. I digress.
An hour went by fast and I was boarded with lots of leg room which I paid for when I got Priority boarding. We pay for everything now days. I packed 3 peanut butter and Trader Joe's Sourdough Cracked Wheat bread sandwiches that got me to Oaxaca without spending one cent at any airports or airplanes. My connection in Houston was easy and I was in Oaxaca by 7:30 that evening and at my apartment by 8:15.
On the ride to my condo in the collectivo, I met Jasmine. A lovely lady who went to college not far from where I grew up and now lived in NYC. It was her first visit to Oaxaca so I gave her a card with my Blog address on the back and recommended a couple of places to eat.
My landlord and his wife helped me carry my bags up to my apartment which had been prepared for my return. I felt back at home! I brought a lot but after unpacking my "Man Bag" and my carry-on (which was full of about 23 bottles of vitamins and medicine) I left to get something to eat before the restaurants closed.
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| Oaxaca is one of the poorest states in Mexico...not my Sleep Comfort Mattress |
I arrived at my standby only to be turned away at 9:15. Sorry sir the dining room closed at 9. I went to the restaurant downstairs and had a glass of wine with Spaghetti and took a bread roll home for....peanut butter sandwich for breakfast. It was 2 am when I finished packing and fell into bed.
The next day I woke around 7:30 and rearranged all the "stuff" that I left in piles because I had to make room for it. After getting my computer back up and all the Home Entertainment Center plugged back in and working I left to meet Carol for lunch
I met my friend Richard at the pool hall Friday morning with the gang and played a bit of pool. We arranged to meet at Selena's around 5 pm for Happy Hour. We had one drink and went next door to an old favorite, Distilario where we used to have Happy Hour before Covid. We had Taco's and Wine but they discontinued Happy Hour. Richard and I were distraught when the bill came and the 2 glasses of HOUSE wine we ordered was more than our dinner. He explained to the manager that he had been coming to Oaxaca before this restaurant existed, etc. and it worked...they gave us the wine free.
Saturday Carol invited Richard and I to join her and Norma shopping. Norma lives in Teotitlan so has a car, a premium in Oaxaca.
Richard lived near Carol so Norma picked them up and then picked me up on the way. We stopped at a department store so Norma could shop for a Washer/Dryer but they were closed so we went on to Sam's Club which was a mistake. We should have done Home Depot first..they don't have anything that defrosts in a hot car. At the time we weren't thinking about our after shopping late lunch which took so much time to find in a construction zone that had us all going in circles.
We got through Sam's Club and picked up the essentials to reset my kitchen with frozen fruit for smoothies and seafood for dinners, a little wine of course, and some cheese. After loading the car we headed for the Department store and Norma figured out what was the best buy and we then made a quick stop at Home Depot . We were starved and anxious to try this seafood restaurant that was new to us except Norma had been there once a long time ago.
The restaurant was very, very, nice. Nice atmosphere, selection on the menu, and the food was prepared perfectly. Service lacked a bit but prices more than made up for a bit of a wait.
We were all happy to get home and put away our goodies. The frozen items were a bit unfrozen but survived along with the rest of our bounty.
Richard had invited me to a late night event (9:30 pm) at Luna de Sol Restaurant where our friend/owner Emilio was entertaining the guests with his La Banda Sur group of musicians playing their own creative music. Emilio's family started this restaurant back in the '30's with his father bringing in top Jazz and Blues entertainment while playing himself. Emilio moved the restaurant out of their house after his Father passed away and his Mother wanted to enjoy her retirement. This location was there 3rd.
We had a reserved table and I got there a little before Richard did. Emilio welcomed us and we relaxed with a glass of wine while the band started their first set. A Tuba, 2 Trumpets, Trombone, Saxophone and Drummer.
Monday we set out to resolve a question of who has the best Avocado Toast...Marti & Moolie OR Boulenc Bakery. (Gringos!) Our favorite coffee house was first.
Then off to Boulenc to wait in line for our second tasting.
After a long wait in line, we ordered and devoured it before I remembered to take a photo. Boulanc slices the Avocado on top of the Toast and adds a side of Arugula and Kim Chi. Both were excellent and both different. I thought it a draw!
We headed home for the day.
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| My Hood Tuesday was a BIG Day...starting with meeting my Lawyer across from the Immigration office, where I was following up on the application for Permanent Residency that I submitted in Phoenix at the Mexican Consulate.        |
I received the emails about an hour after I returned home and forwarded them to German who replied...see you at 2 pm inside of immigration. I returned at the appointed time and signed in along with another Spanish speaking person who helped interpret what the gate guard was saying to me. Turned out, he was also waiting for him acceptance for Residency. German showed up and we waited , and waited for an hour until we were called into the interrogation room. We passed by a huge room where mattresses were laid out on the floor and some immigrants were being detained for clearance with their earthly belongings. Everything they owned in a bundle. Reminded me of my second divorce.
The woman behind the desk directed me to a stage with a white backdrop for Mug Shots then a set of fingerprints and after 10-15 minutes an assistant came in and handed her my green card which she presented to me along with returning my passport!!!
I bid German goodbye and thanked him , then walked out as a Permanent Resident of Mexico!
I called Carol to inform her of my success and invite her to have a celebratory drink with me at Berlina restaurant owned by my friends Gabriel and Johanna where I broke the news to him.
The end of my first week back in Oaxaca.....!!!
